Facts About the History and characteristics of the Cane Corso

Last updated on January 20th, 2023

What is a Cane Corso?

The Cane Corso is a large, elegant Italian dog breed that excels at working duties and is incredibly dedicated. They are an independent race with intelligence and dignity. Corso are breed has a long tradition of being developed to be a multitasking dog that is alert, active, and keeps a close eye on their family.

A superior defender, the aggressive and self-assured Cane Corso is intelligent, trainable, and of noble demeanor. The Italian mastiff is a breed that has roots in ancient Rome, and its name approximately translates from Latin to mean “bodyguard dog.”

Cane Corso History

The Cane Corso was previously widely dispersed over most of the Italian peninsula, but in recent years, it has only been found in Puglia, in southern Italy, according to the breed standard of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale.

Italian corso and other mastiff-type dogs derived from the extinct molossus, a mastiff-type dog. The Cane Corso served as a guard dog, a battle dog, and an expert hunter of varied wildlife throughout its early existence including very large game.

Dogs were scarce in the 1960s as the Mezadria share-cropping system failed. In the 1980s, a few animals who survived were selectively bred to create the present breed. In 1983, the Société Amatori Cane Corso was established as a breed society. The Federation Sinologic International acknowledged it tentatively in 1996 and completely in 2007. In 2010, the American Kennel Club of the United States approved of it.

Different Names or Types

Cane Corso other names

Italian Corso
Corso
Cane Corso Italiano

Recognized Names

Recognitions

AKC: American kennel club

Appearance & Characteristics

The Cane corso is a large, powerful dog with a rather regal aspect. His size and strength are, of course, among the reasons he’s a popular option for keeping an eye on his owners and property. At first glance, Italian mastiff are intimidating animals with a shoulder height of roughly 28 inches and a weight of frequently more than 100 pounds.

Additionally, they have a big head, a vigilant face, and muscles that can be seen through their short, rigid coat. Their frightening appearance serves as their first line of defense against intruders. They have a wrinkly forehead, large cranium, and broad chest.

They seem particularly adorable because of their floppy ears. Grey masks frequently cover the eyes and mouths of dogs with lighter coat colors. The short, double-layered coat of the Corso can be black, gray, fawn, red, or brindle in color. The coat has a rough, thick, and occasionally matted texture.

Breed Basic characteristics

Lifespan	9 to 12 years
size	23-28inches
Weight	88-110pounds
Coat	Short
Breed Group	Working
Type	Purebred
Shedding	Normal
Colors	Black, gray, red, brown/chocolate/river, liver, fawn
Also known as	Italian Mastiff, Italian Corso, Corso
Good with Children	Yes
Personality Traits	Intelligent and extremely loyal to people.
Good with Pets	Yes
Barking	When Necessary
Country of Origin	Italy
Competitive Registration	AKC

Cane Corso Size: The Corso normally weighs between 88 and 110 pounds and measures between 23 and 28 inches tall.

Eyes: Dark brown, almond-shaped eyes are medium in size.

Ears: Their ears are either cropped or uncropped.

Body: Strong

Coat

The Corso has a short coat, and some hues, like brindle, are more prevalent in the breed and have typically short, smooth coats rather than rough ones.

Shedding: Low

Color and Markings

Common coat colors for this breed include:

Black
Black brindle
Brindle
Fawn
Grey
Grey brindle

Coat Color and Markings
Most breeds only permit a small variety of colors that adhere to the standards, and other breeds require that all dogs have the same color pattern. The fan Corso is the most alluring because to its thick undercoat, black or gray mask, and cream-colored coat.

Personality and Temperament

Personality of Cane Corso

Cane Corso are bright, devoted, ready to please, adaptable, and intensely devoted to their people. However, they can also be unintentionally possessive, pushy, and headstrong. Early socialization with responsible breeders and other dogs is crucial, just like with any other large foster dog.

he Cane Corso can be friendly and sensitive despite its fierce and strong look, which may scare some people. This caste will have strong bonds with its family and guard them. The Cane Corso’s disposition is greatly influenced by the training and care they get. These dogs are confident and forceful. If a Cane Corso is left with an untrained owner, they may develop aggressive behavior.

Temperament of Cane Corso

The Cane Corso has a long history of working dogs and can be sensitive and serious in disposition. Due to his heritage, the Italian mastiff breed, sometimes outsiders catch him off guard as he patrols his yard. Although some Corso is get along well with kids and other animals, the breed is recognized for having a strong prey drive, which makes it possible for any sudden, unexpected movement of tiny animals and pets to urge the dog to pursue.

Early introduction is required while the dog is young in order to foster harmonious interactions with both children and other animals. who aren’t afraid to intimidate their owners. In actuality, novice owners shouldn’t choose them.

Corso demand a lot of mental and physical stimulation. If kids aren’t given access to enjoyable and beneficial activities, they frequently form harmful habits. Furthermore, despite the fact that they require a lot of opportunities to play and run around outside, they are not “backyard dogs” and do not enjoy being apart from their family for extended periods of time.

Activity Requirements

As an adult, the high-energy Cane Corso needs at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Running, fetching, and other outdoor sports will keep Italian mastiff entertained and fit. Puppies shouldn’t exercise too much since doing so might harm their developing joints and bones.

Exercise with high impact should only be performed by mature, well-conditioned Cane Corso. Unique wintertime activities are available that can keep a dog occupied. Dog sledding is a fun winter pastime for Cane Corso. Cane Corso are excellent dock diving buddies since they too like engaging in interesting and enjoyable activities.

Trainability

For a breed as large and powerful as the Cane Corso, early socialization and puppy training sessions are essential. Cane Corso’s must be thorough and consistent in their training as they have a natural fear of strangers and a tendency to be territorial.

Due to the large size of the dog, this is also very important, so care must be taken to avoid jumping, bending and reining. Socialization will help ensure that Corso, who are often dominant and protective, develop into well-adjusted adults. They can be prevented from becoming the boss of the house if they are trained to obey.

Cane Corso are often easy to train because they are bright and eager to please. Corso, despite their outward appearance, are hearty dogs that respond better to affection and encouragement than to harsh corrections or training techniques.

Health & Problems

A healthy Cane Corso normally lives for 12 years. Similar to how all individuals have the ability to inherit specific diseases, all purebred dogs have the capacity to have hereditary health issues. There are several health issues with Cane Corso that might be problematic.

Corso’s responsible breeders examine their stock for ailments including hip dysplasia, idiopathic epilepsy, demodex mange, and atypical eyelids. Bloat, a sudden, deadly ailment, is more common in large and deep-chested breeds.

Epilepsy: Seizures are a symptom of the neurological condition epilepsy. Tumors, toxins or infections can all be responsible for these attacks.

Fungal ear infections: Italian Mastiff with uncropped ears are more susceptible to developing these diseases. If they suspect an ear infection, take the dog to the vet so they can prescribe the right medication for treatment.

Eyelid Problems: This breed is prone to the following two eye conditions that affect the eyelid: Entropion, in which the lid slides inward and the lashes irritate the cornea, is the first problem. Ectropion, in which the lid rolls outward and creates a space between it and the eyeball, is the second problem.

Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a serious risk factor for Cane Corso. Lameness or discomfort may be brought on by this genetic anomaly in the hip socket. Elbow dysplasia: Each year, 10% of Cane Corso are found to have the condition. Due to this, the front legs become lame and immobile.

Feeding Plan

A Cane Corso can weigh up to 110 pounds by the time he is around 18 months old. This implies that if you want Cane Corso puppy to become big and powerful, you must offer them a high-calorie, nutrient-dense diet. Feeding this breed is different from feeding any other dog, though.

This Cane Corso feeding guide has some helpful advice. Pick foods that are low in fat and high in protein. By the time they reach adulthood, puppies should consume 4 meals daily and work 2 times every day. To avoid bloating, avoid eating big meals.

At around 12 months or older, transition to adult food. 6 to 9 cups should be consumed daily by an adult Corso. On the veterinarian’s recommendation, yogurt, vegetables, different grain products, meat, vegetable oil, mineral food, and vitamins must be given to Cane Corso based on their age.

Living conditions

Overall the Cane Corso prefers to be outdoors but is well suited to below freezing temperatures. They shed their coats in the spring which will keep them cool even in the summer. They may adapt well to living indoors or in an apartment if they are exercised. Many breeders believe that the Cane Corso is the ultimate guard dog.

Strong, spacious and adaptable to various living environments. How well they handle cold or hot weather. This intelligent working breed thrives on activity. There is no surprise that large dogs require large places. Cane Corso are not appropriate for apartment dwellers since they get restless in limited spaces. You should be able to give Corso a sizable yard to play in.

How to take care of Cane Corso

Due to their high level of activity, Cane Corso require a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Each day, a Cane Corso will require roughly two hours of exercise. The secret to success with any dog is patience, consistency, and a ton of opportunity for rewards. These dogs require several opportunities each day to learn with you and develop abilities and traits that are practical in daily life.

You can continue to gain muscle by running, trekking, or walking in the morning and evening. Weekly brushing and occasional washing are advised to keep its glossy coat in good condition; daily brushing is advised in the spring.

Grooming & Brushing

Grooming a Italian mastiff is a relatively challenging chore that calls for the right skills to succeed it. All Corso have a short double coat, therefore grooming them takes special care. Their stature might also provide some difficulties.

Every 30 days or so, Cane Corso should be bathed, but if the dog becomes muddy while playing on the grass, you should never hesitate to give it a bath. Every 4 to 7 weeks, give dog a thorough bath with dog shampoo. The ears of a Italian mastiff vary prone to accumulating detritus, such as dirt and earwax. Ear infections and a variety of hearing issues may result from this. Because of this, Cane Corso ears should be cleaned every three to four days.

The purulent discharge that gathers in the corners of their eyes is something that this breed instinctively notices. Use a napkin or another thin fabric to clean off this discharge. Use a soft cloth or tissue rather than cotton to wipe the nose if there is any discharge there or around the nose. whenever necessary, keep wiping their nose.

A Cane Corso’s dental health is crucial to both its physical and mental well-being and grooming. Corso are the breed that is most prone to dental issues. At least twice or three times a week, they should wash their teeth. Breeds like the Italian mastiff are exceedingly active. Corso’s nails will grow more quickly if he spends a lot of time at home. Breaking a nail hurts tremendously. Every two weeks, their nails should be clipped with dog clippers.

Feed Healthy food

It’s also important to select the appropriate food for a Cane Corso puppy. Cane Corso One of the fundamentals that dog lovers must learn to properly feed their pets is healthy nutrition. The Cane Corso consumes a lot of calories per day due to its huge body, strong structure, and high energy levels.

Dry Food: Feeding a large breed dog like the Corso dry food is a sensible alternative.

Wet Food: More protein and less carbs are found in moist or canned meals. For dogs, swallowing and chewing are simpler.

BARF Diet: Raw food or the raw diet are several names for the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet. Bones, raw meat, offal, veggies, and seeds are all components of this raw-feeding diet.

The following items should never be feed to Cane Corso

Salt & salty foods
Grapes or raisins
Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
Yeast dough
Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit
Poultry bones
Onions, chives, and garlic
Chocolate, coffee, or tea
Moldy or spoiled food of any kind

Puppy information

Cane Corso Puppy Training

One must be knowledgeable in a variety of teaching techniques to correct a Cane Corso puppy or adult. The Italian mastiff needs behavioral training and obedience training because, like other dogs, it thrives on positive reinforcement and socializing. But for the dog to keep authority and establish a healthy sense of order in the house, obedience training and behavioral training are essential.

They favor individualized instruction and care. Enrolling Cane Corso puppies in puppy courses is a great method to socialize and train them, allowing them to meet plenty of other dogs and people while being put through their paces in a controlled environment.

Behavioral training

Any dog should undergo behavior training, and raising a well-behaved dog can have many advantages. Every dog owner ought to go through dog behavior training eventually. Determine some common behavioral issues including barking, aggressiveness, food security, weeping, mouthing and chewing, separation anxiety, etc. before you attempt to behaviorally teach a puppy. And without too much trouble, train this dog how to behave in these circumstances.

Obedience training

One of the most fundamental and important elements of every breeder’s training regimen is obedience training. We employ three distinct training methods with this Cane Corso dog, all of which start with a solid grounding in the fundamental five obedience commands: come, sit, stay, heel, and down.

All dogs must know these five fundamental commands since they serve as the cornerstone of obedience training. The development of a Italian mastiff excellent habits will aid in the development of manners as they mature from hyperactive pups into adults.

Socialization

Dogs who have been socialized are better able to adjust to new environments, people, other dogs, animals, sights, sounds, scents, textures, and other sensory input. Corso need to be socialized to prevent them from seeing everything as a threat because they are guard dogs. It resembles behavioral therapy in many ways, just with dogs.

When faced with new circumstances, Italian mastiff instincts for protection will warn him. Cane Corso will learn to negotiate these inclinations and recognize when it is okay to act on them through socialization.

Cane Corso Puppies for sale

The Cane Corso is a strong and loving dog breed that makes a fantastic family pet. Italian mastiff are bright, devoted, ready to please, adaptable, and deeply devoted to their people. However, they may also be unintentionally possessive because to their assertiveness and willfulness. In general, a dependable breeder will charge between $1,500 and $2,500 for a pet-quality dog.

Things to consider adopting a Cane Corso

History suggests that Cane Corso has a positive outlook and is always up for a challenge. If they have a self-assured and obedient owner who can give them food, leadership, and prevent straying, they may make great family dogs.
Corso dogs are typically in good health. But they are prone to specific diseases, just as all breeds. It helps to be aware of these health issues even though not all Italian mastiff will develop any or all of them.
The Cane Corso is an excellent guard dog by temperament and appearance. They are excellent for home and garden patrols because of their possessiveness and fierce territorial nature.
As working breeds, Italian mastiff require a lot of activity to maintain their physical fitness. It needs to be taken for at least a mile jog or brisk walk every morning and evening.
These dogs friends may be devoted and protective to kids if they are nurtured, socialized, and trained appropriately. Owners of corso should never, however, let their dogs chase kids inside the house.

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Cane Corso Dog Breed